Archive for the ‘Lenses’ Category

Thanks to QQQQcon of YouTube whom has done a great 5minute video review of the Nikon Nikkor 18-200mm lens. The review is accurate, precise and cuts through all the fluff common in video reviews of photography equipment to make the points that need to be in favour and against the Nikon 18-200 MM, while also doing a great job of explaining the meanings and effects of many of the various features to help amateurs understand just exactly what he’s talking about and what makes this a great all around lens.

The reviewer, although not a professional speaker by any means, presents the facts in a great way, making comparisons through his 18-200 review to the 18-55mm & 55-200mm which gives a great contrast to its features and what makes it different / unique… He does not go into a whole lot of technical detail, so if you’re a professional you will want to perhaps look for a more techy review from CameraLabs on YouTube or something similar, but for the average person, QQQQcons is simple yet rich with information and provides a solid unbiased review of Nikon’s Nikkor 18-200mm with his hands on review video above!

“Excellent incremental improvement over an already-excellent lens”

I have the original 18-55mm AFScooter “SRD” (United States)
<a -S DX which came with my D40 kit and love it – it weighs nothing, performs brilliantly, and focuses so close that I can use it as a macro if I want. I decided to get this since I do quite a bit of indoor photography without flash, and wanted some extra stability in low-light, longer-shutter speed situations from the Vibration Reduction which I have on my 18-200mm VR but don’t use on my D40 (I use that on my D300, and it almost never comes off). It’s performed brilliantly under such circumstances; I can get sharp shots at 1/20, 1/10 and even 1/8 if I’m really stable at the time of the shot – something I couldn’t reliably get from the non-VR version. It also helps in the long end (55mm) in uneven light and other times when the VR becomes necessary. In terms of sharpness, light falloff, distortion, and all the other metrics, this lens is as good as, or slightly better, than the original non-VR version. It is also a bit heavier and seems a bit more solid in construction, with a tighter zoom ring and differently-sculpted manual focus ring (with more recessed plastic indentations compared with the original model). I think the addition of VR makes it the perfect lens for the D40, D40x or newly-introduced D60, since its performance is so much better in all metrics and tests (particularly distortion and sharpness) than some of its would-be step-up replacements (i.e. the 18-135, the 24-120, etc.)

If you generally do lots of flash or outdoor photography, and don’t tend to experience slower shutter speeds due to lighting issues, or take most of your shots at the wider end of the scale (i.e. 18-25mm) this lens is probably an upgrade that you can either do with or without. In the end the investment is quite small for those few times that VR might save the shot, so I would get one. Granted, VR at this level (i.e not 200 or 300mm) is less about hand shake in daylight, but more about low lighting conditions and longer shutter speeds. As for some reviewer’s comments on the default lens speed, etc. – this is a $200 prosumer lens, not a $1,500 17-55mm pro wide-zoom with f/2.8 costing 8 times what this lens costs; for the money, you can’t get anything better for a Nikon with this kind of performance.

Additional notes: There is some clunking sound from the VR occasionally when focusing, and there is no hood or lens pouch included, but that’s less of an issue if, as most people do, you have a camera or lens bag, and as for the hood, I’ve never used one and never had a problem; if there’s sunglare, I can cup my hand around the lens (since it’s so light) and have no issues. I think some people use lens hoods to somehow show off that they’re “photographers” or “hobbyist-pros” rather than for the reduction of flare and glare when outside in bright sunlight (sometimes direct, etc.) or under sharp lighting. Honestly, I’ve seen guys taking indoor shots of artwork exhibits under soft lighting with the hood on.

“Don’t Waste Your Time – GET THIS LENS!”

I bought this to replace my standard Nikon 18-55mm “non-VR” and will never look back. Getting great pictures is already challenging enough without trying to hold the camera like a statue. If you often enjoy shooting without lugging a tripod all the time or constantly firing your flash, this lens makes a huge difference in your photos.

It is a shame when you get a fantastic capture and your subject lacks that “tack sharp” appearance. After shooting with the non-VR version of this lens, I was often disappointed with available-light shots on some impromptu photos. You know how it goes – “grab the camera quick before you miss out on that (insert subject here)!” Perhaps you make it in time and shoot several frames, but “whoops!” – In all the excitement you didn’t get one shot that makes the grade in sharpness. This is where the VR feature on this relatively excellent lens is a LIFE SAVER!

In final, I will say that the build quality feels noticeably better than the non-VR 18-55mm Nikkor. The zoom ring has noticeably smoother movement. The image quality is easily just as good if not better – very sharp. Just like the non-VR version, the lens mount is plastic, however for such a lightweight lens at this price, this is no deal breaker to me. For under $200, you get performance and image quality that equates with competing lenses twice the price.

“Awesome and cheap lens”

Great upgrade to the already excellent kit lens that came with my d40. Like the kit lens, this lens has excellent sharpness, a good focal range and it focuses fast. The build is great, a little better then the kit lens. And of course VR!

Unlike the other reviewer, I find the VR very useful. I can now shoot handheld at about 1/15th of a second or slower with no blur. with the kit lens 1/30th of a sec was pushing it. This is great for flashless shots in low light.

The reason I gave this lens only four stars is that it only opens up to f3.5 so it isn’t the fastest aperature. But for the price, (you get what you pay for), this lens can’t be beat!

“Nice little lens”

I own both the VR and non-VR versions of this lens and use them on a Nikon D40. I have found no issues or instances where the non-VR outperforms the VR. I get all the picture quality I expect and love to use this lens for outdoor landscape shots as well as indoor shots. I fully recommend this lens, and highly recommend purchasing a polarizing filter to use with it for outdoor shooting. The VR is very useful when shooting indoors as it allows me to take crisp, clear pictures down to 1/20 sec shutter speeds while shooting hand-held.